This man is killing his entrepreneurial journey at the ripe age of 22. His company came into being a little over a year and a half ago... during college.



Braxton Manley (@braxtonmanley) caught a solid break: he found something useful to present at a Texas Tech pitch competition. He ended up winning... and for good reason.



Braxley Bands (@braxleybands) *took me a minute to say it right in the show* is a lifestyle fashion brand focused on creating aesthetically pleasing, affordable Apple Watch bands. This episode jumps all over the place (in the following order):



Braxton's upbringing and entrepreneurial influencesConceptualizing the business during college yearsManufacturing and selling the first few bandsScaling the business to where it is todayWhy you should have a creative outlet outside of your job



Personal creativity is a muscle that can become a catalyst for the success of a business... exercise and grow it! Listen in to make starting your business much more of a reality than you think it is (:

Starting Your Business Young with Braxton Manley, Entrepreneur

Back to it this week with an episode from the "Centennial State," beautiful Colorado! I made sure to sit down with my good friend Trevor Doucet (@tjdoucet22) to talk about our travels and the great state of Colorado.

Since I was a kid, CO has always brought me to a good place. Like everywhere I travel to, I try to reflect on the important aspects of my visit: how I felt, how I thought, how I grew, etc. You can find it all here! I hope to feature many more destinations on the podcast within the near future (: Enjoy TheExperiment!

A Colorado Trip with Trevor Doucet

A child, 13 years of age, leaves home. He/she treks across the African desert, experiences horrific events unheard of for a 13 year old, and arrives in Libya. Ah Libya, the next step on their journey to a new life.

He/she is then beaten, traumatized, and taken advantage of in more ways than one; all before boarding a boat full of 300 others just like him/her... and the boat is meant for 20. A great deal of time passes... imagine 3 days without sufficient water and no leg room. They arrive to the coast of Italy. A new life begins.

This is an [extremely] condensed version of an African migrant's journey in search of the "new life" they are told waits for them on the other side of the Mediterranean.

Ramzi Harrabi (@ramziharrabi) is an artist, intercultural mediator, and mentor for these kids that arrive in Italy. Based in Siracusa, Sicily (a beautiful, old Sicilian city), Ramzi seeks to empower these children, helping them see that they are just like everyone else, in search of a beautiful life. He lives life like an artist staring fiercely at a blank canvas, anything goes.

Ramzi guides individuals on their path to discovering their life's work. Take a step back and put your life into perspective... we're all the same.

For more information on Ramzi's story, here is a beautiful guest post of his for the University of Oxford Law's blog. The uprooted exhibit mentioned in the episode is covered in length by Elyse Resnick here.

Enjoy TheExperiment and this free flow of ideas (:

A Global Refugee Crisis – Ramzi Harrabi, Artist & Activist

Imagine you wake up everyday in a completely different environment than the one you were raised in... Your morning is different, the people are different, the food is different, the smells, the views, the experience... everything is different. You learn the ins and outs of that culture, then on to another! And the cycle repeats... Beautiful.

This is the life of a digital nomad, someone who has the ability to work remotely and travel the world rather than staying in one place. No digital nomad is alike; they've all had unique experiences around the world in a variety of cultural contexts. Imagine the stories!!

And we've got one for ya! The man behind the Livin' That Life YouTube page joins TheExperiment today to talk about "Livin That Life" or the digital nomad lifestyle to put it plainly.

It all started for Riley Bennett after visiting a friend in Thailand for a couple of weeks. He caught the travel bug and set his sights on returning for the Nomad Summit, which would help transform his life into what it is now...

He's a maniac who isn't afraid to offer his message to the world... the digital nomad lifestyle is possible, you've just got to take the chance.

Enjoy TheExperiment and this free flow of ideas (:

Livin' That Life - Riley Bennett, Digital Nomad

A bridge between entrepreneurship and academia, this academic sets his sights on unearthing the potential that lies in higher education. Dr. Donald Mosley, Jr. is building a platform in academia that encourages younger generations to come together in the construction of new ideas.

What you'll learn from this episode:

 	The most important thing for budding entrepreneurs to remember
 	How to be an effective teacher - in the classroom and life
 	Why it's an exciting time to take part in entrepreneurship
 	And of course, much more...

His father achieved great success as an academic, a shadow Dr. Mosley didn't want to find himself trapped by. Wanting to forge his own path, he spent a considerable amount of years in consulting while pursuing his MBA and continued in the field upon graduation.

After a while, traveling for business made it difficult to spend time with his family. Dr. Mosley needed something more stable. At that point, he deemed it appropriate to follow in his father's steps and begin his unique career in academia.

Fast forward to the present moment, and Dr. Mosley is the Executive Director for the Melton Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MCEI) at the University of South Alabama. Dr. Mosley believes young entrepreneurs should take advantage of the innovative atmosphere fueled by the current wave of entrepreneurship. For this reason, he encourages students to innovate with all departments, bringing diverse minds to the table.
"To the extent we can think entrepreneurially across our divisions so that we can respond quicker to meet needs in the market place, I think we've got to do that [embrace entrepreneurship and innovation internally] to remain relevant" (39:50).
If you're excited about innovating and creating, consider what Dr. Mosley has to say about our entrepreneurial environment.

He's an intelligent being with a humble heart. Enjoy TheExperiment (:

Unearthing the Entrepreneur – Dr. Donald Mosley, Jr.

He's one of the most dedicated, creative people I have came across. Never afraid to try something new, this Chef puts conventional wisdom to the test, coming up with unique dishes derived from a daydream. Put simply, he's a lover of good food and doesn't skimp on the diligence required to create such.

In this episode, you'll learn:

 	The mindset of a Chef
 	How to be a better home cook
 	The secret to making the perfect pizza (24:40)
 	And much more on the cooking-life parallel

This is a conversation with the fascinating, jovial Chef Christopher Litts. Currently the Sous Chef of Camellia Cafe (voted Alabama's Best Restaurant by Alabama Magazine), Chef Chris has knowledge and passion for cooking which is easily recognized. Spend a few minutes in his kitchen and you will witness his dedication to creating delicious food.

Among the many hallmarks of his kitchen, Chef Litts offers life-lessons through the art of cooking. His leadership style is comparable to the likes of Gandalf the Wizard or maybe Yoda, i.e. everything is relatable to life. Work hard, be organized, focus on the task at hand, and good things will come.

It takes a certain type of human to maintain the lifestyle of a successful Chef, especially one that helps a restaurant earn a Michelin Star like the Martini House in the Napa Valley. The amount of work it takes to accomplish such a feat is unbelievable (18:00), but for Chef Chris, it was never the goal. All he wants to do is make people happy.
"Basically, on a daily basis, my goal is to make people happy and to teach younger people how to cook and work in a kitchen... Getting a Michelin star wasn't a goal. It just happened."
If you are curious about what it takes to be a Chef or about cooking in general, listen to the heartfelt insights of Chris Litts. You won't be disappointed.

He's quite the character, made apparent through his many stories. So please, enjoy TheExperiment and this friendly free-flow of ideas (:

*Some of the restaurants Chef Chris has been a part of: Martini House, Kitchen Door (managing partner), Camellia Cafe (Current Sous Chef)

A Chef’s Life – Chris Litts

Making Moves: To Austin

If he's not in the classroom, you might find him on the water or out-lifting his students in the Rec center. His work ethic is exemplary, leading by example in all that he does. The life experiences of this academic are wide-ranging and inspiring.

Today you'll learn...

 	How to effectively transition
 	The importance of preparation
 	What it means to be an academic
 	And much more in the world of academia



I sat down for an intriguing conversation with Dr. James Larriviere, economist, surfer, triathlete, and family man... among other things. Jack of all trades who has also mastered his fair share, Dr. Larriviere has a curiosity for learning that is contagious to say the least.

Anyone that has had a extraordinary professor during their college career has seen it. He's in the classroom at least five minutes before class and starts teaching right on time, like clock work. There's a story and flow in his lectures, seamlessly bouncing from topic to topic without missing a beat.

Dr. Larriviere is never unprepared. That's for certain. As a professor, his duty is to be the best resource he can for his students. It takes going above and beyond in order to fully prepare, yet that's not to say academics have all of the answers. Dr. Larriviere stresses the importance of admitting when you aren't up to speed on a concept.
"Never be afraid to say 'I don't know'. If a student asks you a question and you don't know the answer to it, say 'I don't know, but I will find out for you.'"
If you're curious about the life of an academic, Dr. Larriviere's lessons and insights will be right up you're alley.

And his spirit animal story has got to be the best yet... (50:00)

With that said, please enjoy TheExperiment and this free-flow of ideas (:

A Curious Life – Dr. James Larriviere, Economist

It's a sight to behold... launching himself over 17 feet in the air by sheer force and precise mechanics. He goes for it, whether it be in Track and Field or life in general. No bar is too high for an attempt.



In this episode, you'll learn...

 	What it takes to become a high-level student athlete
 	Diet, Exercise, and Mindfulness as precursors to success
 	How to win an Indoor Track & Field SEC Championship
 	And other insights from a college athlete

I convinced my little brother to share the most useful tactics that have contributed to his success as a Track and Field athlete at the University of Alabama. You would think it would've been easy to get the little bro to talk, but he's careful not to boast, practicing humbleness in the presence of success.

It's never been easy. No one was interested in him during his Junior year of high school, a time when many young students are beginning to make their decisions on what college to attend. During his Senior year, he showed up on the Division I radar after committing himself to jumping 4 feet higher than the previous season and crushing the Alabama state record in the decathlon.

The truth is, every example of success has one thing in common: hard work. Nothing comes without a cost, and there's a lot to give up to become a high-level student athlete. At the same time, this SEC champion believes it's all worth it.
"It's worth the work. You're with a team, working for something outside of yourself. You're building on your skills and helping everyone else out. It's a really great environment."
If you're curious about the life of high-level student athlete, tune in for some of Jake's insights on navigating the realm of college athletics.

We talk life, business, and mindfulness... our favorite things. Enjoy TheExperiment and this free-flow of ideas.

Setting The Bar – Jake Spotswood, University of Alabama Polevaulter

Inspiring, driven, even-keeled. That's the type of person Jeff Marcus is. Hearing about the life Jeff has lived will make you want to get up off the couch and get after it. He has many titles, but for the sake of simplicity, let's just call him a well-rounded entrepreneur.



In this episode, you'll learn...

 	How to find and seize entrepreneurial opportunities
 	His #1 tip for succeeding in life
 	How to start your first entrepreneurial venture
 	And much more...

It all comes in the form of a story. From being a Senior Vice President at Varian Medical Systems to launching various startups such as Ship Shape Urban Farms, Jeff Marcus' life is full of interesting events that reveal applicable life lessons.

His passion: helping others, which is why he agreed to come on the podcast to offer some insights.

Creating a purposeful life requires putting in the work and setting well-defined goals. At the same time, it takes thinking differently than others.
"The key piece was that I had to be employed by a company (or myself) that appreciated hard work, appreciated innovation, and appreciated people who challenge the system. That's the key, challenging the system."
If you want to learn how to create a balanced, entrepreneurial career, listen to the wise words of Jeff Marcus. Jeff's career serves as a model for those who want to get the most out of life, focusing on the things that truly matter.

The show notes won't do it justice, he explains much better than I ever could. Enjoy TheExperiment and this free-flow of ideas.

Chasing White Light – Jeff Marcus, Entrepreneur and Former Business Executive

A character. What a fun, interesting individual Jeremy Wolff (@wolffjeremy) is. I had the privilege to sit down with the founder of Y'all Folks, a content production company specializing in music as well as other industries.



Living the life of a marketing specialist at a major steel production company was what Jeremy thought he was meant to do right out of college. He landed the job and found success in his role.

The only problem... he wasn't happy.

From Day 1, Jeremy knew it wasn't what he was meant to do, but he stuck with it. After close to a decade with the company, he finally made the leap into entrepreneurship thanks to his Indian Headdress costume.

You'll get a kick out of that story (17:15)...

Being an entrepreneur comes with a great deal of freedom to create the life you want; however, it also comes with its fair share of difficult challenges.

Every motivational video or article out there says it, but it's true as cliché as it might be... You can't be afraid of failure, especially as an entrepreneur.

Jeremy believes aspiring entrepreneurs should look at failure in a different light.
"Failure in someone else's eyes isn't necessarily failure... Bad decisions are not bad things."
It's all about your perspective and where you're gaze is focused.

If you want to hear what it's like to start a content creation company from scratch, Jeremy is the man to listen to.

In this episode, you'll learn...

 	How to determine what business you're meant to create
 	How to make decisions that lead to happiness
 	Where to begin as a content creator
 	And much more...

Remotely curious about the ins and outs of starting a business from scratch? You're going to get a lot out of this. Enjoy TheExperiment and this free-flow of ideas.

Startup with Passion – Jeremy Wolff

The Red Clay Strays rock, seriously. I had the opportunity to sit down with frontman Brandon Coleman (@brandon_lainecoleman15) and bassist Andrew Bishop (@good_time_andy) to discuss what life's like as up-and-coming musicians.



The band is killing the Mobile, AL music scene, playing electrifying shows across the Gulf Coast area. If you want the best atmosphere to witness the unique energy of this group, catch them at one of their favorite venues to play: the Flora-Bama in Orange Beach, AL.

If you're from the Mobile area, you've heard of The Red Clay Strays. You might have seen them open for The Record Company at the Soul Kitchen in Mobile or playing SouthSounds music festival for the past couple of years.

With a loyal following already established, it's only the beginning for this Southern Rock n Roll band.

The band launched on their first multi-state tour on July 2nd, playing cities like New Orleans, Dallas, San Antonio, Charlotte, and Atlanta to name a few. Their audience is growing... and fast!

If you want to learn how to navigate the early stages of music, the Strays are a fantastic example.

The hardest part is getting started. Brandon believes consistency is key, giving it your all in every situation.
"Even if it's a couple of people at a time, you just put on a show for them. Don't let it discourage you. Just keep going."
It took a lot of hard work and determination to get the Red Clay Strays where they are today. That's not to say they are letting off the gas any time soon; to them, it's just getting started.

In this episode, you'll learn...

 	How the Strays went from fledgling musicians to established artists
 	How to better your sound
 	How to deal with struggles and the importance of setting goals
 	And lots more...

If you're a music lover like me, you're really going to get something out of this. Enjoy TheExperiment and this free-flow of ideas.

Play and Pray: Navigating the Early Stages of Music – The Red Clay Strays

Launch time! This is the first episode in which I discuss the nature of the show's content as well as future plans. Ya feel? Enjoy!

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